US3784078A

US3784078A - Carpet stretcher and kicker

Info

Publication number: US3784078A
Application number: US00236672A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Escoe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-21
Filing date: 1972-03-21
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08

Abstract

Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface, including a carpet gripping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and including an elongated handle means capable of being utilized to provide tension on carpet engaged by the carpet gripping head. A staple gun is carried by the carpet gripping head and is operable for ejecting staples into the carpet whereby the staples can be used for securing the edges of carpet in position on a supporting surface. An alternate embodiment of the carpet stretching and securing apparatus provides a staple gun which includes a plurality of staple magazines and a plurality of simultaneously operable plunger elements capable of ejecting a plurality of staples into a carpet and a carpet supporting means.

Description

United States Patent [191 Escoe Jan. 8, 1974 CARPET STRETCHER AND KICKER [22] Filed: Mar. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 236,672

[52] US. Cl. 227/13 [51] Int. Cl. B25c 1/00 [58] Field of Search 227/12, 13, 131,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 604,987 6/1898 Jansky 227/13 Primary Examiner-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-Edward Taylor Newton et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface, including a carpet grip ping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and including an elongated handle means capable of being utilized to provide tension on carpet engaged by the carpet gripping head. A staple gun is carried by the carpet gripping head and is operable for ejecting staples into the carpet whereby the staples can be used for securing the edges of carpet in position on a supporting surface. An alternate embodiment of the carpet stretching and securing apparatus provides a staple gun which includes a plurality of staple magazines and a plurality of simultaneously operable plunger elements capable of ejecting a plurality of staples into a carpet and a carpet supporting means.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED 1w 3,784,078

$HEET 1 BF 4 mum-"unnu- PA-FENIEB JAN 81974 SHEET 2 a? 4 FIG 3 PATENTEDJAN slam 3'784078 SHEET 0F 4 FIG 7 CARPET STRETCHER AND KICKER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to carpet stretching apparatus and is more particularly concerned with carpet stretching apparatus having carpet securing means supported thereon for operation in securing carpet in place on a supporting surface.

A number of carpet stretching apparatus have been provided which includes a carpet gripping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and includes an elongated adjustable handle means for use in applying tension to a carpet in a carpet stretching apparatus. The prior art carpet stretching apparatus do not include any means for inserting retaining means into the carpet and into the supporting surface for holding the lateral edges of the carpet in a secured position. In the past, the carpet has been secured in position along the lateral edges by stretching the carpet over upstanding prongs attached to the carpet supporting surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes a carpet gripping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and an elongated adjustable extension handle capable of being utilized to provide tension on carpet engaged by the carpet gripping head, and wherein the carpet gripping head is provided with a staple gun operable for ejecting staples into the carpet and into the carpet supporting surface for securing the carpet in place.

One important feature of the present invention is that the staple gun is angularly adjustable relative to the carpet gripping head and is slidably movable relative to the carpet gripping head for location at a number of adjusted positions relative to the carpet gripping head.

A further feature of an alternate embodiment of the staple gun utilized in the present invention is that the staple gun is provided with a plurality of plunger elements operable for simultaneously ejecting a plurality of staples through the carpet and into the supporting surface.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved carpet stretching apparatus having means for inserting retaining means into the carpet for securing the carpet in position on a supporting surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carpet stretching and securing apparatus which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and reliable in performance.

These and other objects and advantages of the details of construction will become apparent after reading the following description of the illustrative embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a carpet stretching and securing apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carpet stretching apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with the parts shown in an assembled relationship, with certain parts added thereto and drawn on a reduced scale;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the carpet stretcher shown in FIG. 2, with certain parts broken away and shown in section for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the carpet stretcher embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing details of construction of the staple gun shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the carpet stretcher shown in FIG. 4, with certain parts broken away and shown in section for purpose of clarity.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the staple gun assembly shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view through the same assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring now particularly to FIGS. 13, a first embodiment of the carpet stretcher and securing apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention is shown and generally represented by the reference numeral 10. The carpet stretcher and securing apparatus will be described with reference to a carpet gripping head 20 and a carpet securing means 60.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the carpet gripping head is constructed of a top plate 21 having a downwardly extending front wall 22, two

sidewalls

23, 24 and an angularly formed rear wall 25. The top plate 21 and downwardly extending walls 22-25 define a downwardly opened cavity in which an adjustable plate 26 is carried. Plate 26 is provided with a plurality of downwardly projecting prongs 27. Prongs 27 are of conventional construction and are detailed for engaging carpet to aid in applying tension to the carpet in a carpet stretching apparatus. Adjustment of plate 26 is effected by a pair of

rotary adjustment knobs

31, 32. Each of the

rotary adjustment knobs

31, 32 includes a downwardly extending threaded shank 33. Shanks 33 are supported for rotary, non-axial movement in top plate by a bushing element 34. Downwardly extended ends of threaded shanks 33 are threadably received within complementary threaded bushings 35. Rotary adjustment of

knobs

31, 32 will effect vertical displacement of plate 26 within the cavity formed by the carpet stretching head. The adjustment of the

rotary knobs

31, 32 will operate to vary the effective length which prongs 27 project below the edges of the walls 22-25 and the amount of which are engaged within the carpet.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carpet gripping head 20 is provided with an elongated adjustable handle means 40. The adjustable handle is constructed of a plurality of

telescoping sections

41, 42 and 43. The

telescoping sections

41, 42 are adjustable relative to each other and are held in a set position by means of a conventional retaining pin 44. An outer extended end of section 43 is fixed to a mounting bracket 46 supported on the carpet gripping head. Section 43 is adjustable relative to section 42 by means of an over-center linkage adjusting mechanism 48. The over-center linkage adjusting means 48 includes a first lever 49 pivotally attached at 50 to the carpet gripping head bracket element 46. A pair of

link elements

51, 52 are pivotally attached at 53 to lever 49 and are pivotally attached at 54 to an upstanding bracket 55 formed on section 42.

The location of

pivots

50, 53 and 54 are detailed such that lever 49 can be adjusted from an upwardly displaced position to a downwardly displaced over-center locking position wherein section 43 is extended to an adjusted position relative to section 42.

As shown in FIG. 2, a rear extended end of section 41 is provided with a universal connection 57 which is supported in an anchor block 58. The anchor block 58 is adapted to be used in a conventional manner against upright wall structures in a carpet stretching operation.

The carpet securing apparatus 60 includes a staple gun 61 having a handle gripping portion 62, a magazine chamber 63 and a plunger operated dispensing chamber 64. Magazine chamber 63 includes a releasable means 65 operable for maintaining a plurality of staples within the magazine chamber 63. The staple gun 61 is of conventional construction and includes a trigger mechanism 66 operable for effecting operation of a conventional plunger (not shown) carried within chamber 64 to eject a staple from magazine 63. The carpet stapling gun 61 is operated by a conventional electrical or pneumatic power source supplied through a connecting line 67. As shown in FIG. 1, staple gun 61 includes a pair of outwardly directed grooves 70 which are formed along opposite lower edges of the magazine 63. Grooves 70 are adapted to be slidably engaged with a complementary formed recess 71 provided on a carriage mechanism 72. Carriage 72 is constructed in the form of a downwardly opened channel member having a top portion 73 and a pair of downwardly directed

leg portions

74, 75. Carriage 72 is slidably supported on a guide track means 80. The guide track means 80 is constructed to include an upwardly directed flange member 81 having an elongated slot means 82 formed therein. Carriage 72 is provided with a pair of rollers 76 which are rotatably supported M77, 78 between the

leg members

74, 75. Rollers 76 are rotatably supported within the elongated slot 82, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Carriage 72 and track 80 will permit sliding adjustment of the staple gun 61. The upwardly directed flange 81 is integrally formed with a horizontal plate 83. Plate 83 includes an opening 84 which is pivotally supported by an upstanding stud 8S. Stud 85 is fixed to the top plate 21 of carpet gripping head and includes an annular groove 86 adapted to receive a conventional retaining clip 87 whereby mounting plate 83 can be secured in position on the top of the carpet gripping head. The upstanding stud 85 will permit angular adjustment of plate 83 relative to the carpet gripping head 20.

Thus, it can be seen by the pivotal connection of plate 83 and stud 85 and the slidable adjustment of carriage 72, the staple gun can be angularly adjusted relative to the carpet gripping head front wall 22 and can be slidably movable along the front wall. Further, the recess grooves 70 will permit horizontal adjustment of the staple gun to vary the distance between the staple gun plunger means and the front wall 22.

In operation, the carpet gripping and securing apparatus is positioned above carpet to be stretched with the anchor block 58 in abutting engagement with an upright wall and with the

telescoping sections

41, 42 adjusted to permit the location of the carpet gripping head adjustment an opposite wall or lateral edge of carpet to be stretched. A final adjustment to apply maximum tension to the carpet being stretched is effected by moving linkage 48 to a downwardly displaced overcenter position which will force section 43 to an extreme outwardly displaced position. After the carpet stretching head 20 has been securely engaged and adjusted to a carpet stretched position, the staple gun 20 is then moved laterally to one edge of the carpet gripping head, the trigger mechanism 66 operated to eject a staple into the carpet and into the supporting surface beneath the carpet. The staple gun is then slidably adjusted across the front face of the carpet gripping head and the staples are ejected in a number of spaced locations.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4-8, a second embodiment of the carpet stretching and securing apparatus is shown and generally represented by the reference numeral 100. The carpet kicking and stretching apparatus will be described with reference to a carpet gripping head and a carpet securing means As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the carpet gripping head 120 is constructed to include a top plate 121 having downwardly extending parallel front and

rear walls

122, 123 and a pair of downwardly extending

parallel sidewalls

124, 125. The top plate 121 and downwardly extending walls 122-125 define a downwardly opened cavity 126. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of horizontally spaced supporting bars 127 are connected between front wall 122 and rear wall 123. (Only one of the bars 127 is shown, but it is understood that the bars would be horizontally spaced across the front and

rear walls

122, 123 to define slots therebetween.) Bars 127 are provided with a plurality of carpet engaging prongs 128.

An adjustable support plate 129 is supported within cavity 126. Plate 129 includes a plurality of carpet engaging prongs 130. Carpet engaging prongs 130 are detailed in spacing to extend through the slots defined between the horizontal spaced supporting bars 127. Support plate 129 is supported Within cavity 126 by means of a threaded shank 131. Shank 131 is rotatably supported by top plate 121 and includes a threaded portion which extends through a threaded bushing (not shown) provided in plate 129. Vertical adjustment of plate 129 is effected by means of a worm gear 132 supported in driving engagement with a spur gear (not shown) fixed to threaded shank 133. Worm gear 132 is fixed to adjustable shaft 133 which is supported adjacent one end by a downwardly extended support bracket 134 and is supported adjacent an opposite end by rear wall structure 123. Adjustable rod 123 extends outwardly through rear wall 123 and is provided with an adjustable knob 134. Rotation of knob 134 will rotate shaft 133, worm gear 132 and will effect rotation of threaded shank 131. Rotation of shank 131 will vertically adjust plate 129 within cavity 126 to increase or decrease the effective length prongs 130 project below the bottom edge of carpet gripping edge 120.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a carpet gripping head 120 is provided with a rearwardly extending leg 140. The extended end of leg is provided with a kicker heel 141. In operation, the carpet gripping head 120 is secured in place on carpet with the prongs adjusted to engage the carpet and a stretching operation is effected by an operator kicking heel 140 with a knee to push the carpet forward or to stretch the carpet over the area in which it is being supported.

In order to secure the carpet edges to a supporting surface, carpet securing means is supported on the upper surface of carpet gripping head 120. The carpet securing means in the form of a multiple capacity staple gun 150 includes a rearwardly projecting downwardly inclined handle portion 151, an operating plunger chamber 152 and a magazine section 153. Carpet securing staple gun 150 is constructed to simultaneously eject a plurality of staples. The magazine section 153 of the staple gun is provided with a plurality of

magazine chambers

155, 156, 157 and 158. Conventional carpet securing staples are supported and spring urged forward in the magazine chambers 155-158 by conventional spring biased latch retaining means 159, 160, 161 and 162, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the magazine chambers 155-158 are provided with individual operable staple ejecting

plunger elements

165, 166, 167 and 168, respectively. Each of the plungers 165-168 includes a pair of projecting

shoulder surfaces

165a, 165b 168a, 168b, respectively.

Shoulders

165a, 165b 168a, 168b are operable for supporting the lower edge of compression springs 1650 168C with an upper edge of compression springs 1650 168C being maintained in an aligned relationship by annular flanges 165b 168d. Flanges 165d 168d are formed on the bottom surface of the plunger housing top 152. Compression springs 1650 168a are operable for spring urging the plungers 165-168 downwardly in a staple ejecting operation.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the plungers includes a projecting lug portion 165e 168e, respectively, operatively associated with an actuating bar 170. Actuating bar 170 includes a horizontal flange 170a supported beneath the underside of lugs 165e 1682 and includes a vertically extending flange 1701) having a pair of

elongated slots

170e, 170a. Actuator bar 170 is supported at its opposite ends in vertically extending groove 170e formed in the plunger housing sidewalls. Actuating bar 170 is controlled in a staple ejecting operation by means of a pneumatic cylinder 175. Pneumatic cylinder 175 includes a pair of oppositely extending

piston rods

176, 177. Piston rod 176 is pivotally connected at 178 to control lever 179. Lever 179 is pivotally supported adjacent a lower edge at 180 and is provided with a roller element 181 adjacent an upper end. Roller 181 is rotatably supported within actuator bar slot 1700. An extended end of piston rod 177 is pivotally connected at 183 to a control lever 184. Control lever 184 is pivotally supported adjacent a lower end at 185 and is provided with a roller 186 adjacent an upper end, with roller 186 being rotatably supported within actuator bar slot 170d.

Pneumatic cylinder 175 is provided with a pressure supply line 190 and a pressure exhaust line 191. Pressure supply line 190 and exhaust line 191 are operatively associated with a trigger operated release valve 192. Pressure is supplied from a remote source to valve 192 by means of a conventional supply line 193. Valve 192 is provided with an exhaust port 194. In normal operation, a supply for pneumatic pressure is supplied through line 192 and line 190 for maintaining a predetermined amount of pressure within pneumatic cylinder 170. When cylinder 175 is pressurized, the

piston rods

176, 177 are forced outwardly thereby rotating control lever 179 counterclockwise and rotating control lever 184 clockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of lever 179 and clockwise rotation of control lever 184 causes the

roller supporting elements

181, 186 to be displaced outwardly within their supporting slots 1700, d thereby pushing the actuator bar 170 upwardly to store energy in compression springs 165a 168d. In a stapling operation, the trigger valve is operated by a trigger element 195 to provide an opening between exhaust port 194 and exhaust line 191 whereby the pressure within cylinder 175 can escape thereby allowing the compression springs 1650 168d to rapidly force the plungers 165-168 downwardly to provide a simultaneous ejection of a plurality of staples, one from each of the staple chambers 155-158.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the staple gun or carpet securing means 150 is provided with a rearwardly projecting flange 196 which is pivotally secured at 197 to a pair of

upstanding support brackets

198, 199. As shown in FIG. 5, the staple gun plunger housing 152 is provided with a downwardly directing staple ejecting chamber 152a operatively associated with each of the magazine staple chambers 155-158. Each of the ejecting chambers 152a is provided with a rearwardly extending arm 152b. Arm 152b extends through a slot 122a formed on the housing front wall 122. The rear extended end of arms 152b are supported on a shaped shoulder surface 129a formed on a forward upper edge of adjustable support plate 129. With the above supported arrangement of the carpet securing staple gun 150, the staple gun is automatically adjustable with adjustable plate 129 whereby the lower edge of carpet ejecting housing 152a is supported in a detailed spaced relationship above the end of downwardly projecting prongs 130 and is automatically moved to an adjusted position whenever the prongs 130 are adjusted.

The carpet securing staple gun 150 can be removed from the carpet kicker head 120 by removing the pivot connecting pin 197 and when the staple gun 150 is removed, it can be used in a number of other securing operations independently of the carpet kicker head 120.

It now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiments of the carpet stretching and securing means are capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modification in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface comprising, in combination:

a. a carpet gripping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and an elongated handle means capable of being utilized in providing tension on carpet engaged by said head;

b. means supported on said carpet gripping head for inserting retaining means into carpet engaged by said head and into a carpet supporting means; and

c. said retainer inserting means including a staple gun operable for introducing staples into said carpet for retaining the carpet in place on a supporting surface said staple gun being adjustable about a vertical axis.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said staple gun is transversely adjustable across the width of said carpet gripping head.

3. Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface comprising, in combination:

b. means supported on said carpet gripping head for inserting retaining means into carpet engaged by said head and into a carpet supporting means;

c. said carpet gripping head including a mounting plate pivotally attached to the upper surface of said carpet gripping head for adjustment about a vertical axis, said mounting plate including guide track means operable for supporting a movable carriage, said carriage being slidably movable along said guide track means; and,

d. said retainer inserting means including a staple gun supported by said carriage for transverse adjustment relative to said carpet gripping head and being angularly adjustable with said mounting plate for adjustment about said vertical axis.

4. Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface comprising, in combination:

c. said means for inserting retaining means into said carpet including means for simultaneously inserting a plurality of retaining elements; and,

d. said last named means including a staple gun having a plurality of magazines capable of carrying staples to be individually dispensed, said staple gun including a plurality of operable plunger elements, one operatively associated with each of said magazines and operable for dispensing a staple from said magazine and injecting said staple into carpet supporting means, said staple gun including a single control means for effecting simultaneous operation of said plurality of plunger elements.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further characterized in that said carpet gripping head includes means for adjusting the effective length of said prongs and wherein said staple gun is operatively associated with said prong adjusting means to be simultaneously adjustable therewith so that the staple gun will be aligned with said prongs for inserting staples into carpet and into carpet supporting means.

6. An improved carpet stretcher having a carpet gripping head which is provided with a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and an elongated adjustable handle means capable of being utilized to provide tension on carpet engaged by said head, said improved carpet stretching apparatus including means supported on said carpet gripping head for inserting retaining means into carpet engaged by said head and into carpet supporting means, said carpet gripping head including a mounting plate pivotally attached to the upper surface of said carpet gripping head for adjustment about a vertical axis, said mounting plate including guide track means operable for supporting a movable carriage, said carriage being slidably movable along said guide track means, said retainer inserting means including a staple gun supported by said carriage for transverse adjustment relative to said carpet gripping head and being angularly adjustable with said mounting plate for adjustment about said vertical axis.

7. A staple gun for use in simultaneously ejecting a plurality of staples comprising, in combination:

a. a plurality of magazines, each magazine detailed for supporting a supply of staples in position to be successively dispensed in a stapling operation;

b. a plurality of staple ejecting plungers, one plunger operatively associated with each magazine for removing a staple from said magazine and ejecting said staple from said staple gun;

c. a single control means operatively associated with said staple gun for effecting simultaneous operation of said plurality of said plungers;

d. each of said plungers including spring means for effecting movement of said plungers in a staple ejecting operation; and,

c. said single control means being operable for storing energy in said spring means and including means for automatically and simultaneously releasing said plurality of plungers whereby said spring means will effect operation of said plungers.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface comprising, in combination: a. a carpet gripping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and an elongated handle means capable of being utilized in providing tension on carpet engaged by said head; b. means supported on said carpet gripping head for inserting retaining means into carpet engaged by said head and into a carpet supporting means; and c. said retainer inserting means including a staple gun operable for introducing staples into said carpet for retaining the carpet in place on a supporting surface said staple gun being adjustable about a vertical axis.

3. Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface comprising, in combination: a. a carpet gripping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and an elongated handle means capable of being utilized in providing tension on carpet engaged by said head; b. means supported on said carpet gripping head for inserting retaining means into carpet engaged by said head and into a carpet supporting means; c. said carpet gripping head including a mounting plate pivotally attached to the upper surface of said carpet gripping head for adjustment about a vertical axis, said mounting plate including guide track means operable for supporting a movable carriage, said carriage being slidably movable along said guide track means; and, d. said retainer inserting means including a staple gun supported by said carriage for transverse adjustment relative to said carpet gripping head and being angularly adjustable with said mounting plate for adjustment about said vertical axis.

4. Apparatus for use in stretching and securing carpet in place on a supporting surface comprising, in combination: a. a carpet gripping head having a plurality of carpet engaging prongs and an elongated handle means capable of being utilized in providing tension on carpet engaged by said head; b. means supported on said carpet gripping head for inserting retaining means into carpet engaged by said head and into a carpet supporting means; c. said means for inserting retaining means into said carpet including means for simultaneously inserting a plurality of retaining elements; and, d. said last named means including a staple gun having a plurality of magazines capable of carrying staples to be individually dispensed, said staple gun including a plurality of operable plunger elements, one operatively associated with each of said magazines and operable for dispensing a staple from said magazine and injecting said staple into carpet supporting means, said staple gun including a single control means for effecting simultaneous operation of said plurality of plunger elements.

7. A staple gun for use in simultaneously ejecting a plurality of staples comprising, in combination: a. a plurality of magazines, each magazine detailed for supporting a supply of staples in position to be successively dispensed in a stapling operation; b. a plurality of staple ejecting plungers, one plunger operatively associated with each magazine for removing a staple from said magazine and ejecting said staple from said staple gun; c. a single control means operatively associated with said staple gun for effecting simultaneous operation of said plurality of said plungers; d. each of said plungers including spring means for effecting movement of said plungers in a staple ejecting operation; and, e. said single control means being operable for storing energy in said spring means and including means for automatically and simultaneously releasing said plurality of plungers whereby said spring means will effect operation of said plungers.